VITAL SIGNS: CAUSE AND EFFECT; Prenatal Vitamins and Asthma in Children

By Eric Nagourney

Published: September 12, 2006

Pregnant women who do not get enough vitamin E may give birth to children who are at higher risk of developing asthma, a new study finds.

Other studies have offered mixed results about whether taking the vitamin may help people with breathing problems. The authors of the new report say it appears there may be an early window when taking it makes the most difference.

''The results of this study are consistent with the notion that early life nutrient intake, both in utero and in the early postpartum period, modifies the risk of developing childhood asthma,'' says the study, in The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

For the study, researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland recruited 1,800 pregnant women, asked them about their diets and took blood samples to measure the level of vitamin E and other nutrients. The women were surveyed again during pregnancy, and blood samples were taken from the mother and baby after birth.

Shortly before the children's 5th birthdays, the researchers contacted the families and surveyed them about whether their child had any history of wheezing or other illnesses or had been given a diagnosis of asthma by a doctor. They were also asked about the child's diet, and almost 800 children went to the hospital for breathing tests.

The researchers found no association between maternal intake of the nutrients vitamin C, beta carotene, magnesium, copper or iron and problems in the child like wheezing, asthma, eczema or hay fever.

But they did find that children of the women with the highest intake of vitamin E were less likely to develop wheezing or asthma. Higher levels of zinc also appeared helpful.

Many foods contain vitamin E, including some vegetable oils, wheat germ and nuts. The study said doctors caring for pregnant women should counsel them about their diet or consider giving them supplements.